Diversity & Inclusion

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

Dell is committed to provide an environment that values and develops individual talents, respects the needs of its people and applies collective strengths toward the complete satisfaction of our customers and stakeholders. Dell recognizes that diversity is essential to enhance the customer experience and is key to our success. We also understand that it is our diverse teams who produce the diverse and innovative ideas that make Dell the computer systems company of choice for our customers around the world.

An important market segment

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) customers are an important market segment for Dell. So, to help build a strong relationship with our LGBT customers, we have developed a number of new communications channels.

Online Media

An element of our communications with LGBT customers is our web portal that was created for customers who value a combination of technology, style and personalization. You can visit www.dell.com, where you’ll find information about products from Dell, featured artists that design custom laptop covers, tips on how to enhance your life with technology and information on environmental programs.

Dell also utilizes various social media tools to provide more interaction, let you keep in touch with Dell or allow you to receive special offers on products. These tools include the following:

Direct2Dell — Dell’s external blog that allows anyone to exchange information on technology or anything else that may be on your mind

Another way Dell communicates with LGBT customers is through traditional advertising, both print media and online. Dell has advertised for several years in The Advocate as well as event programs for LGBT events. In addition to advertising with these publications, Dell participates in related events such as Out & Equal’sWorkplace Summit, which Dell sponsored in 2008.

Dell works with numerous LGBT organizations and businesses for all kinds of things — to advance important causes, purchase components or products and attract good job candidates.

Partnering with LGBT-focused organizations

Dell diversity partnerships and community initiatives reach out to multicultural customer groups and benefit diverse communities to promote access to technology, talent, business and education in our communities. Dell believes that creating mutually beneficial partnerships with national civic organizations, professional development organizations, and multicultural business and community groups helps us exceed our customers' needs and remain competitive in the marketplace.

As one of the world’s leading technology companies, Dell purchases parts and components from suppliers around the world. One of the key drivers in our purchasing decisions is to work with diverse suppliers, including businesses owned by LGBT owners, whenever possible. This has been a successful strategy, resulting in Dell being:

Named by DiversityInc as one of theTop 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity in 2008

Named to the Billion Dollar Roundtable in 2008 — The Billion Dollar Roundtable recognizes corporations that spend at least $1 billion with minority- and woman-owned suppliers. In fiscal year 2008, Dell’s spending with diverse suppliers reached over $2.4 billion — a significant increase over the past five years.

Hiring LGBT candidates to work at Dell is a key objective of our diversity program. At Dell, diversity is more than an essential element of our corporate values. It’s a force that helps shape the type of company we are and aspire to be. We recognize diversity as the key to succeeding in the marketplace, fostering a winning culture where Dell employees are highly talented, committed, reflective of our global customers and recognized as our greatest strength.

The Dell Human Resources team utilizes various resources to identify and recruit talented LGBT candidates to work at Dell. For example, Dell works with Reaching Out MBA to identify highly qualified candidates in different fields. Dell frequently sponsors or participates in the annual conferences of such organizations. It takes advantage of the opportunity to meet highly qualified candidates and conduct initial interviews with some of those attendees. Dell also sponsors networking events or internet cafes that we set up at these events.

For employees

Employee Networking Group

Dell employees can join or participate in a number of employee networking groups, including one specifically for LGBT employees — Partnering for Respect of Individuality in the Dell Environment (PRIDE). The group’s mission is to effectively attract, retain and develop Dell's talented LGBT employees. PRIDE was founded in 2002 by and for LGBT employees and their allies. The group currently is composed of over 300 members and friends of PRIDE.

PRIDE’s initiatives for this year are the following:

Participation in and support of community events such as Out Youth Prom, Austin Pride Parade and Festival, Out & Equal’s 2008 Workplace Summit held in Austin, Austin Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival, Austin AIDS Walk, and PRIDE Holiday Party and Holiday Swing Party

Support Dell’s efforts to recruit highly qualified LGBT job candidates by evangelizing externally the value that Dell places on diversity and equality for LGBT employee, customers and suppliers (this includes participating in selected events such as Out & Equal and Reaching Out MBA.)

Support Dell’s efforts to retain highly qualified LGBT employees by developing and conducting educational forums for employees on LGBT employee-related issues and by coordinating networking opportunities for PRIDE members

PRIDE members support and participate in a number of community events each year. Some recent examples include:

Hill Country Ride for AIDS — Dell is a sponsor of this annual fundraising ride, which benefits 10 organizations that provide HIV and AIDS services in Central Texas.

Out Youth Alternative Prom — Out Youth hosts an alternative prom for LGBT youth each year to which the youth can bring the date of their choice. Supporting this event is an annual favorite of PRIDE volunteers.

Austin Pride Parade — Dell is a regular participant in Austin’s Pride Parade and marched in the 2007 parade with a spectacular float and team of walkers. Dell has had award-winning floats in the parade in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Texas Swing — This event benefits Project Transitions, which provide services to people living with HIV in Central Texas. The fun-filled event is held on the Friday of Pride weekend in Austin, and PRIDE assembles a team of volunteers to help Project Transitions with setup for the event.

AIDS Walk Austin — This annual event raises money for HIV services in Central Texas and primarily benefits AIDS Services of Austin. PRIDE organizes a volunteer walk team and has volunteer representatives at the walk.

Holiday Swing — One of the most popular events in the Austin community, Holiday Swing is held every December and benefits Project Transitions. Dell PRIDE supports this event with volunteers to help with event setup.

Important issues to LGBT customers

Participation in the communities that Dell employees call home has been a fundamental aspect of Dell’s success. We encourage employees to get involved in their local communities and help make a difference. Dell also directly supports several issues that have special importance to LGBTs:

HIV and AIDS — The spread of HIV/AIDS continues to be an issue we face, especially in markets where our company growth is most critical. In 2008, Dell joined the (PRODUCT) RED™ campaign, which raises funds through product sales by program partners. Those funds are used to purchase antiretroviral medications for HIV positive individuals in Africa. Additionally, Dell employees are active participants in the Hill Country Ride for AIDS and AIDS Walk Austin.

The environment — In 2007, Dell set the goal of becoming the greenest technology company on the planet. We’ve done a lot to achieve that goal, including taking the number one position on the Technology Business Research Corporate Sustainability Index Benchmark Report for 2009. Have a look at Dell Earth for lots more info on what we’re doing to protect and improve the environment.

Recognizing Dell's support of LGBT employees and customers

Dell has been recognized by numerous publications and multicultural groups for our diversity efforts, including several major awards from LGBT-focused organizations. Check here for a full list of Dell’s diversity awards. Some highlights related to LGBT employees or customers include:

Dell was named by DiversityInc as one of theTop 10 Companies for Supplier Diversity in 2008.

Dell was named to the Billion Dollar Roundtable in 2008. The Billion Dollar Roundtable recognizes corporations that spend at least $1 billion with minority- and woman-owned suppliers. In fiscal year 2008, Dell’s spending with diverse suppliers reached over $2.4 billion — a significant increase over the past five years.